ROOKIES MADLENYA HOLD LEADERS BUFFALOES

KALANGA – Log leaders Young Buffaloes recorded their second consecutive draw in an MTN Premier League match played here yesterday, as rookies Madlenya continued their good run.

Amathole Ezinyathi, as Buffaloes are fondly known, were held to a 1-all draw by rookies Madlenya in a lukewarm MTN Premier League game. This was the army side’s second draw in a week as they played to a goalless draw against Moneni Pirates last week. It was coach Mandla ‘Stofu’ Dlamini’s charges who broke the deadlock through Phiwayinkhosi ‘Silwabelwabe’ Dlamini after he nodded home freely a gift wrapped cross from National Under-23 and senior national team star Kwakhe Thwala just before the half-hour mark.

Buffaloes were the better side in the first stanza as they created scoring chances. Just five minutes into the game, ‘Silwabelwabe’s free header from Lindo Mkhonta’s well weighted cross flew inches over the bar, with the rookies goalkeeper Dumsani Dlamini at sea. The visitors’ first attempt at goal came five minutes before half time when troublesome skipper Sethu Ngcamphalala’s well taken shot from close range narrowly went wide inside the box. Madlenya came a better side in the second-half and they nearly levelled matters a minute into the last 45 minutes when Ngcamphalala danced his way into the box to face the Buffaloes goalkeeper Mlungisi Nxumalo, who reacted and collected the ball from Ngcamphalala’s feet.

The rookies continued to pile pressure on the host and it was no surprise when they were awarded a penalty six minutes before the hour as defender Sihlangu Mkhwanazi hacked Sethu inside the box. Referee Wandile Mamba did not hesitate as he rightly pointed to the spot for Njabulo Maziya to step up and score to make it 1-1 and added to his goal tally, making it eight goals in nine games. He is the leading scorer in the league and closely followed by in form Mbabane Swallows forward Felix Badenhorst who netted a brace yesterday to take his tally to seven.

Buffaloes coach ‘Stofu’ made a double substitution, resting goal scorer ‘Silwabelwabe’ and Mancoba Mavimbela for Sifiso Mazibuko and Banele Mkhabela, while Madlenya Coach William Gamedze took out Phumlani Matsebula for Senzo Shongwe. Buffaloes substitute Mkhabela, thought he had bagged the maximum points for Buffaloes five minutes before regulation time, but his goal was ruled for an offside. The game finished 1-all with Buffaloes top spot under threat from rookies Nsingizini Hotspurs who could draw level today on 19 points with a win against a tough Manzini Sea Birds but will need at least four goals to topple the army side.

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